Ray is a native of Lethbridge, Alberta who joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1969 as a reservist. He was accepted into the Regular Officer Training Plan in 1972. Graduating from the University of Lethbridge in 1975 he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. He then served in a wide variety of staff and command positions.
His command appointments have included: command of the First Battalion PPCLI, the Canadian United Nations Contingent Cyprus and Sector 3, Joint Task Force Two, Canadian Forces Base Calgary, the Canadian Contingent Stabilization Force (SFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Land Force Atlantic Area (now 5 Canadian Division), and Canadian Defence Liaison Staff (London, England). Staff appointments included Senior Staff Officer Personnel Services at Mobile Command Headquarters, Chief of Staff Land Force Central Area Toronto (now 4th Canadian Division), Chief of Staff of the Multinational Stand-by Readiness Brigade for United Nations Operations in Denmark, Force Chief of Staff for the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea and Director Senior Appointments at National Defence Headquarters. His international experience has also included two United Nations Cyprus tours, a posting with the 3rd Battalion British Parachute Regiment and service as CO 1 PPCLI with both the Allied Command Europe (ACE) Mobile Force and NATO Composite Force.
Since retirement in 2009 General Romses has remained busy with numerous non-profit organizations. He is currently the Deputy Chairperson of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires Southern Alberta Board of Governors, a Director of the Alberta History and Hero’s Foundation, Director of the Lethbridge 702 Wing RCAF Association, Chairman of the Lethbridge Military Museum Committee, and Chairman of the Lethbridge Salute Our Veterans Banner Committee. He has also served previously as Colonel Commandant of the Royal Canadian Army Cadets, President of the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association, President of the Army Cadet League of Canada (Alberta Branch), a Director of the Last Post Fund (Alberta), and President of the Lethbridge United Services Institute.
Ray has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Lethbridge and a Master of Arts degree from the Royal Military College. He and his wife Carol live in Lethbridge, Alberta.